What Is an Online Bachelor's in Behavioral Psychology Degree?
Behavioral science programs help students understand the reasons for group and individual behaviors. These programs may offer concentrations in areas like addiction and recovery, criminal psychology, developmental psychology, and crisis counseling.
Behavioral science degrees prepare graduates for counseling and therapist careers, which require licensure and usually exist within hospitals, private practices, and school systems.
Behavioral science programs hone communication, research, and assessment skills. Students learn to evaluate behavioral patterns and build treatment plans.
Many applicants to bachelor's programs in behavioral psychology intend to eventually pursue graduate degrees, which are required for many related licenses and certifications. However, graduates of behavioral science bachelor's programs may also qualify for certification as assistant behavior analysts.
Choosing an Online Program
Distance learners should consider in-person requirements, concentrations, completion times, and costs when determining which online behavioral science program fits them best.
The following guide provides tips on choosing the best online bachelor's in behavioral psychology.
What Else Can I Expect From a Bachelor's in Behavioral Psychology Program?
Online psychology programs explore behavioral patterns and human development to help learners assess and treat social, psychological, and emotional issues. Most programs cover abnormal psychology and general psychology research, and they usually include clinicals that help students pursue licenses and certifications.
Curricula vary by school and concentration. However, common courses address the following topics.
Bachelor's in Behavioral Psychology Curriculum
- Abnormal Psychology: This course covers the many ways in which people experience abnormal development and can display adverse behaviors. Students uncover the physical, emotional, and social causes of psychological disorders and learn about common treatment strategies. This essential information benefits any professional working with patients who experience emotional, psychological, or developmental disorders.
- Childhood Development: This course covers human development, beginning with infancy and continuing through young adulthood. Learners learn about factors that help children to meet developmental norms and what might disrupt this growth. Students also learn about common childhood development disorders.
- Social Psychology: This course covers the vital ways in which social interactions affect individual people's emotions and behaviors. Students learn about the prevailing theories of social behavior and how to apply these ideas to help patients. Detectives, human resource managers, social workers, and professionals who work with children all rely on this knowledge.
Behavioral Psychology Concentrations
Students can specialize their degrees in behavioral science based on their career interests. Common concentrations include addiction, human resources, criminal justice, and child development.
The skills acquired through specialized degrees can give graduates a competitive advantage when seeking employment.
Students who choose this concentration learn about the symptoms and causes of common behavioral disorders and explore practical methods to help patients alter destructive behaviors. This concentration also covers autism spectrum disorders and delayed development.
Many patients experience addiction to illegal substances, alcohol, cigarettes, and destructive behaviors like gambling. Students who specialize in addiction treatment learn the physical and psychological origins of addiction. Coursework covers diagnostic criteria and treatment options for people with addictions.
Children can develop rapidly on mental, physical, and emotional levels. Students who pursue this concentration learn about the many stages of childhood, what typical development looks like, and the many disorders that can affect childhood growth.
This concentration explores the psychological and social reasons that people commit crimes. Students learn about the criminal justice system, abnormal psychology, and how to help people with convictions reintegrate into society.
This concentration explores why people behave as they do at work and how to best manage employees. Students learn theories about organizational behavior and practical ways to apply those theories in companies. This concentration prepares graduates for careers in human resources.
Careers in Behavioral Psychology
Many graduates of online behavioral science bachelor's programs go on to pursue master's and doctoral programs. Others become counselor assistants, substance abuse counselors, or human resource specialists. Some graduates use their knowledge of human behavior to launch successful careers in market research or business.
Below are three possible careers for graduates with degrees in behavioral science.
Psychologists observe and assess patients for problems related to emotional, psychological, and social well-being. This can include interviewing and performing tests on patients to determine issues and choose appropriate treatments.
Professional psychologists can work as clinical, counseling, developmental, school, and forensic psychologists. Requirements are different for each position, but typically include a graduate degree, relevant experience, and a license.
Median Salary:
$80,370
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029):
14%
Sociologists research and observe groups of people through interviews, surveys, and experiments to determine how they think and interact. Sociologists may base these studies on factors like cultural, political, institutional, or economic backgrounds. Their insights influence policy-making, administration choices, and lawmaking.
Sociologists may focus on areas like crime rate, education, and health. These professionals typically need a graduate degree and relevant experience.
Median Salary:
$83,420
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029):
9%
Human resource managers make hiring and administrative decisions for companies. They help companies respond to workplace issues like sexual harassment and internal conflicts.
These professionals may focus on areas like payroll, labor relations, or recruitment, or they may be generalists. They often act as liaisons between management and the workforce and may also advise companies on methods for improving employee performance.
Human resource managers can work in a variety of industries, including government, manufacturing, and healthcare organizations. Most positions require a bachelor's degree and relevant experience.
Median Salary:
$116,720
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029):
7%
Behavioral Psychology Professional Organizations
Professional organizations provide opportunities for graduates and students to network with professionals, keep up with new developments in the field, and advance their careers. Members usually pay annual fees in exchange for opportunities for certification, access to professional journals, and discounts on yearly conferences. Many associations also offer job boards and continuing education opportunities.
APA serves behavioral science professionals and students at all levels. This large association publishes one of the leading psychology magazines and hosts conferences for professionals in different psychology subfields.
ABCT advocates for behavioral and cognitive therapies and the professionals who facilitate them. Members receive journal subscriptions and tools that help them in their practices. Members can also join the listserv to connect with fellow professionals and advocates.
SPSP offers events like an annual convention and the Summer Psychology Forum. The society also publishes three journals. Members can earn awards for professional achievements, receive grants, and access a job board.
